Pursuing Faith with Dominic Done

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: The free study guide for *When Faith Fails* is now available! This companion guide is designed to help you go deeper, with chapter-by-chapter insights, engaging questions, and space for personal reflection. Perfect for individual study or group discussions. Download your copy today at pursuingfaith.org/study-guide

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We then dive into a message Dominic gave recently, called "Habits of a Healthy Heart." We'll explore what it means to cultivate a heart that thrives in God's purpose by unpacking Scripture and three essential Hebrew words—Shalom, Ashre, and Tamim. These beautiful words offer a pathway to inner transformation, encouraging a life marked by generosity, integrity, and wholeness. This episode invites you to build a heart that radiates God’s love and peace to those around you.

In this episode, we look at Acts 8, exploring the powerful story of how the early church responded to opposition. This episode begins by examining the catalyst for revival in Judea and Samaria—persecution that scattered believers but also ignited a movement that would transform entire regions. We unpack Philip's evangelistic efforts in Samaria, where miraculous signs and conversions took place, including the intriguing encounter with Simon the Sorcerer. Through Simon’s story, we reflect on the dangers of trying to manipulate God's power and the importance of genuine faith and surrender.

Podcast Links:
www.pursuingfaith.org 

In this episode of Pursuing Faith, we sit down with Dr. Bethany Sollereder, a leading theologian and scholar known for her innovative work at the crossroads of theology and science. We explore her latest book, Why Is There Suffering?: Pick Your Own Theological Expedition, which invites readers to navigate different perspectives on one of life’s most profound questions. Bethany also shares personal stories from her time at Oxford, including her unique experience living at C.S. Lewis's house, and we discuss how theology and philosophy grapple with the problem of evil. We delve into her recent books, unpacking the deep questions that arise when faith meets the challenges of modern science and suffering.

Podcast Links:
www.pursuingfaith.org 

In this episode of Pursuing Faith, we delve into the extraordinary journey of Moses, exploring Acts 7:20-34. Moses was a shepherd, yet called by God to deliver his people. We’ll explore how Moses' life exemplifies the "hero’s journey” which has been deeply influential in great works of art, stories and movies. We also reflect on Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, whose life and martyrdom sparked a revival that spread the gospel far and wide. We’ll see how these interwoven narratives create parallels to our own lives and the human quest for purpose and meaning. This episode invites you to see how God uses ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary things and reminds us of our mission to bring freedom and hope to a world in need.

Links:
www.pursuingfaith.org 

In this episode, we dive into Acts 5:12-16 to uncover the extraordinary events where the apostles performed miraculous healings. We explore how these acts of divine intervention polarized responses, with some people filled with faith and others gripped by fear. We'll discuss the profound questions these stories raise about the nature of healing: Does it still happen today? How does God heal? What is the purpose of healing? Discover how healing is a sign of God's power and presence, a return to His original vision, and a promise for the future.

Links:
www.pursuingfaith.org 

In this episode, we explore Jesus' declaration, "I am the light of the world" made during the Feast of Tabernacles, a significant Jewish festival.
Jesus' words challenge the religious leaders and offer a radical vision of spiritual guidance and human flourishing.
We'll dive into the rich symbolism of light in biblical theology, the historical context of Jesus' statement, and its powerful implications for our lives today.
Discover how following Jesus can illuminate our path, dispel darkness, and lead us into a life filled with purpose, hope, and freedom.
Links:
www.pursuingfaith.org 

In this episode, Dominic talks about the reality and power of miracles. Every one of us longs for a miracle in our lives. It could be the need for a physical, mental, or emotional miracle. Perhaps a breakthrough in a relationship or finances.

The Bible is full of miracle stories. But these stories aren’t just superstitious legends; they're hope-filled reminders of what God can do in our life right now.

Links:
www.pursuingfaith.org 

Acts 2 records one of the greatest and most important sermons ever preached. God used it to spearhead a revival that turned the world upside down. What’s surprising, however, is not that God used words to initiate a revolution — but who he used to speak it. In this message, Dominic shares how grace retells the story of our failure and makes it something beautiful. As Brennan Manning wrote, "To live by grace means to acknowledge my whole life story, the light side and the dark. In admitting my shadow side I learn who I am and what God's grace means: that a saint is not someone who is good but who experiences the goodness of God.”

Links:
www.PursuingFaith.org
Thrive Conference - Granite Bay, CA

In this episode of Pursuing Faith, Dominic explores John 8, and the words Jesus spoke to a woman who was full of shame. He said to her, “neither do I condemn you, go your way and sin no more."

When we are in a place of shame, the natural response is to hide our truest self or to push people away. For example, in the book of Genesis, Adam and Eve ate of a tree and realized they were ‘naked and ashamed’ and immediately hid from God. Shame always causes isolation, because intimacy is the risk that our shame will be exposed. In the words of Bene Brown, “Shame corrodes the very part of us that believes we are capable of change.”

But here’s the good news: because of grace, we don’t have to live in shame anymore. 

In a world that continuously lies about our identity, that loves to remind us of all that we’re not — not rich enough, smart enough, good-looking enough, or famous enough—God says: You are mine. And you always have been. Nothing can change that. You are not defined by the mistakes you’ve made but by the grace of God.

Links:
www.pursuingfaith.org

In this episode, Dominic has a conversation with Joseph Clair. Joseph serves as the executive dean of the Cultural Enterprise, which encompasses the humanities, theology, and education. He is also dean of the College of Humanities and an associate professor of theology and culture.

Before joining the George Fox faculty in 2013, he earned his PhD in the religion, ethics and politics program at Princeton University while also working as an assistant in instruction. His efforts were rewarded with a Department of Religion Teaching Award (2011-12) and a Graduate Prize Fellowship from Princeton’s Center for Human Values (2012-13).

Prior to Princeton, Clair earned an MPhil at the University of Cambridge as a Gates Cambridge Scholar. He also holds master’s degrees from Fordham and Duke University, as well as a bachelor’s degree from Wheaton College.

His research and teaching interests include Christian thought and ethics and the role of religion in public life. He is the author of Discerning the Good in the Letters and Sermons of Augustine (Oxford UP, 2016) and Reading Augustine: On Education, Formation, Citizenship, and the Lost Purpose of Learning (Bloomsbury, 2018).

Clair lives on a hobby farm outside of Newberg with his wife, Nora, and their four children. 

Links: www.pursuingfaith.org

Christi